UPPER ELKHORN NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
February 22, 2010 -- 2:30 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER, STATEMENT OF ADVERTISEMENT AND OPEN MEETING LAW NOTIFICATION:
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors was called to order at 2:35 P.M. by Chairman Tim Knuth.
DIRECTORS PRESENT:
Jerry Childers Chris Dierks James Dvorak Gregg Felker Reg Green
Jerry Heithoff Ted Hughes Jim Keller Tim Knuth Janet Koinzan
Jeff Krebs Mike Russman Dale Wiles
DIRECTORS ABSENT:
Curtis Gotschall Roy Stewart
STAFF PRESENT:
Dennis Schueth, General Manager
Tom Riley, Water Resources Manager
Beth Walsh, Information & Education Coordinator
Marsha Hart, Administrative Secretary
GUESTS PRESENT:
Jerry Kovarik – NRCS – O’Neill
David Gerhold – Columbus
Nicole Sedlacek – O’Neill
Garry Anderson – NRC - Dixon
ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Jeff Krebs to adopt the agenda. AYE: Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman &Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Gotschall, Heithoff, Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION CARRIED.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the January Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ] It was moved by Mike Russman and seconded by Gregg Felker to approve the minutes of the January Meeting. AYE: Felker, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman &Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: Childers & Dvorak. ABSENT: Dierks, Gotschall, Heithoff, Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION CARRIED.
FEBRUARY 3, 2010 SPECIAL BOARD MEETING MINUTES:
The minutes of the February 3, 2010 Special Board Meeting were reviewed by the Directors. ] It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Gregg Felker to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2010 Special Board Meeting. AYE: Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman &Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Gotschall, Heithoff, Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION CARRIED.
TREASURERS REPORT:
The January treasurers report was reviewed by the Directors. ]It was moved by Jerry Childers and seconded by Jim Keller to approve the January Treasurers Report. AYE: Childers, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Krebs, Russman &Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Dierks, Gotschall, Heithoff, Koinzan & Stewart. MOTION CARRIED.
Dierks, Heithoff & Koinzan arrived
COLDWATER FISHERIES – DAVID GERHOLD:
David Gerhold from Columbus attended the board meeting to discuss the possibility of building a coldwater fishery within the UENRD. David explained the facility and that in order to build it they will need a 1000 gpm well to run 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Due to LB 483 and the area in which they would like to locate, they would either have to wait for the January 2011 expansion of acres sign up or find an offset after the UENRD Groundwater Management Plan Rules & Regulations are adopted. However, an environmental study will need to be conducted to determine what the offset of the fishery would need to be in acre feet of water. The UENRD will continue working with Mr. Gerhold in any way possible within the guidelines of the new legislation and GWMP Rules & Regulations.
PUBLIC FORUM:
LB 483 & Fully Appropriated-Designations Impacts: Dennis Schueth reported that all but one cooperator receiving an acre expansion has been contacted and received their letters and well permits.
AGENCY & STAFF REPORTS:
NARD Report: Ted Hughes reported that they met following the NARD Legislative Conference. The Association Board conducted a review of the Executive Director and approved the positions for the upcoming year. He reported that the Mohler case is still a concern, the NARD three cents on tree sales and the election of Terry Miller as Secretary/Treasurer. Ted also reported on the risk pool meeting. He discussed a couple of plan changes and reviewed the financial report. Dennis Schueth passed out the LB 1031 and LB 1032 testimonies and reviewed them for the board.
DNR Report: Garry Anderson attended the meeting to review his report that was included in the Directors folders. Garry talked about Brian Dunnigan’s update, the changes to the budget and the cost share allocations.
NRCS Report: Jerry Kovarik’s report was handed out at the board meeting. Jerry reported on the EQIP program and eligibility issues, the CSP program and the upcoming NRCS program appraisal.
RC&D Report:
North Central RC&D: This information was included in the Directors folders.
Loup Basin RC&D: This information was included in the Directors folders.
Northeast RC&D: This information was included in the Directors folders.
Information & Education Report: Beth Walsh’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Beth updated the board on the status of the 2009 Senior Scholarship recipients, which will all be receiving their final installment.
Water Resources Report: Tom Riley’s report was mailed out in the Directors packets. Tom reported on the status of the Phase II reports. We have received approximately 80% of the forms and are now contacting the cooperators by phone for the remaining reports. Other items Tom discussed included sending the nitrate data to the clearing house, moving forward with the certification of acres and well permits.
EBVC Update: Dennis Schueth reported that he has been in contact with DEQ regarding the funding for the project. Dennis Bridge, also met with Dennis regarding the trout rearing station near Grove Lake. They have some concerns regarding the impacts groundwater may be having on the stream.
ELM Update: There is a meeting scheduled for February 24, 2010 in Ord.
EXCUSED ABSENCES:
]It was moved by Ted Hughes and seconded by Chris Dierks to excuse the absence of Curtis Gotschall & Roy Stewart. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman &Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Gotschall & Stewart. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Legislative, Finance and Planning:
Action on Current bills and Cost Share Requests: The Committee met prior to the Board meeting. The Committee reviewed the current bills and cost share application. ]It was moved by Reg Green and seconded by Jeff Krebs to approve the current bills for payment. AYE: Childers, Dierks, Dvorak, Felker, Green, Heithoff, Hughes, Keller, Knuth, Koinzan, Krebs, Russman &Wiles. NAY: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Gotschall & Stewart. MOTION CARRIED. There was one cost share application which has been placed on hold because there is no cost share available at this time.
Water Resources & Watershed:
The Committee met prior to the Board meeting. Gregg Felker reported that the Committee reviewed the budget and recommendations for the Enhancement Fund monies. There will be a meeting scheduled for March 10 for the review of the Upper Elkhorn NRD GWMP Rules and Regulations for the entire board to make comments. Once the Board moves forward with this document, hearings will be scheduled for public comment.
COALITION/TASK FORCE UPDATE:
Nebraska Habitat Conservation Coalition (Piping Plover): No Report.
Nebraska Ground Water Management Protection Act Coalition: No Report.
Lower Platte Basin Coalition: No Report.
NIOBRARA RIVER BASIN FULY APPROPRIATED DESIGNATION – ACTION:
Dennis Schueth reported that the Supreme Court decision should be announced sometime in March. If the decision does not favor the NRDs discussion was held regarding the appeal and whether or not the UENRD should become more actively involved. The board also discussed the possible instream flow proposal and the bill introduced by Senator Fischer (LB 764).
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT:
Dennis Schueth’s report was mailed out in the Director’s packets and a copy is kept on file at the NRD office. Dennis’ report was covered under the previous agenda items.
The next regular monthly board meeting will be held March 22, 2010 at 8:00PM at the NRD office in O’Neill.
There being no further business to come before the Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 PM.